Falcons vs. Buccaneers 2012: Mission accomplished

The Atlanta Falcons entered Sunday's game with a comfortable lead in the division as well as a strangle hold on the No. 1 seed in the NFC and it remained that way, as the team defeated divisional opponent Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road by the score of 24-23.

The Falcons had one goal on Sunday against Tampa Bay and that was simple: win. As Dave Choate of SB Nation's Atlanta Falcons blog, The Falcoholic, writes the mission was accomplished, as Atlanta increased their lead in the division.

The Falcons came into this game needing a win to submarine the Buccaneers and more or less ensure a playoff berth. Mission accomplished.

Now at 10-1 on the season, Atlanta looks for revenge on a short week against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints ruined the Falcons perfect record on the season, giving them their sole loss, just a few weeks ago.

New Orleans is coming off of 31-21 loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers and both teams will need to recover quickly for the Thursday night meeting.